If I went West, I think I would go to Kansas.
--Abraham Lincoln

In December 1859 Abraham Lincoln came to Kansas campaigning for the presidency. He visited several towns in northeast, including Leavenworth and Atchison during a week-long sojourn.

Lincoln would continue to share an interest in the new state, later commenting that he might like to "go to Kansas."

Discover the connections between Lincoln and Kansas as the nation prepares to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.

New Lincoln Sites in Kansas Database

Please let us know your Lincoln connection! What schools, streets, buildings, parks, and other sites in your community are named for Abraham Lincoln? Please visit our database and submit your connections here.

The Kansas Historical Society produced this Lincoln Bicentennial poster in 2009, designed especially for the classroom. Find out how to request a copy for your school.

Articles

Documents

Visit Kansas Memory for documents and images related to Lincoln in Kansas, or browse these links.

Exhibits

Events in Kansas

January 29, 2009 - Kansas Day at the Museum, featuring a Lincoln theme

February 14, 2009 - Penny Day at the Museum, featuring penny admission, speakers, and family-friendly activities

January 15 & 17, 2009 - Aaron Copland's A Lincoln Portrait, performance by Topeka Symphony Orchestra, in cooperation with Lincoln Club of Topeka, White Concert Hall, Washburn University, Topeka, 785-232-2032 www.topekasymphony.org

February 13-14, 2009 - Lincoln Day Reenactment, Lincoln look-a-like contest, march, ball, Reenactment Committee, Lincoln, Lincoln County Courthouse, Lincoln
785-524-5133, www.villagelines.com

February 4, 11, 18, 25, 2009 - Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Symposium, nationally-known scholars, Emporia State University, Granada Theater, Emporia, 620-341-5573, www.emporia.edu/lincoln

February 8 - "Great Emancipator or Great Racist?" Bleeding Kansas '09 Constitution Hall State Historic Site, community of Lecompton, 785-887-6520, kshs.org/places/constitution

February 15 - "Abraham Lincoln Remembered" Bleeding Kansas '09 Constitution Hall State Historic Site, community of Lecompton, 785-887-6520, kshs.org/places/constitution

March 26 - Lincoln in Kansas: "If I Went West, I think I Would Go to Kansas," 2 - 4 p.m. OSHER Lifelong Learning Institute, Kansas Historical Society, Topeka, 785-864-5823, toll free 877-404-5823, osher.ku.edu

April 2 - Lincoln in Kansas: "If I Went West, I think I Would Go to Kansas," 2 - 4 p.m. OSHER Lifelong Learning Institute, Kansas Historical Society, Topeka, 785-864-5823, toll free 877-404-5823, osher.ku.edu

April 9 - Lincoln in Kansas: "If I Went West, I think I Would Go to Kansas," 2 - 4 p.m. OSHER Lifelong Learning Institute, Kansas Historical Society, Topeka, 785-864-5823, toll free 877-404-5823, osher.ku.edu

Historical Markers

For Kids

Images

Visit Kansas Memory for documents and images related to Lincoln in Kansas, or browse these links.

Objects

Sites